Fayette County's unemployment rate rose slightly last month, but the 3.2 percent unemployment rate for the region was the lowest for February in 25 years.

The county's employment rate rose from 1.6 percent in January to 1.9 percent in February. The number of unemployed in the county increased from 735 to 897.

For the past year, the region's jobless rate has averaged 3.3 percent.

"Many cities throughout the country would like to be in Atlanta's envious position of having unemployment rates of 3 percent," said state labor commissioner Michael Thurmond. "However, along with the positive aspects of low unemployment comes the reality that employers in Atlanta face a shortage of qualified workers to fill many of their job openings."

Thurmond said the state is busy trying to find a solution to the lack of skilled workers.

"We are working to develop a statewide workforce development strategy that will provide the qualified workers needed by Georgia employers. We'll use the new federal Workforce Investment Act, which we're beginning to implement, to consolidate and streamline employment and training programs based on the needs of the local areas. The local business community will have a role in helping us do this."

Other unemployment rates were:

• Coweta-2.9 percent.
• Forsyth-1.9 percent.
• Clayton-3.7 percent.
• Fulton-4 percent.